Background
Pathophysiology
- Severe type 1 hypersensitivity reaction i.e. IgE-mediated mast cell activation.
- Vasodilation leads to distributive shock and capillary leak leads to angio-oedema.
Causes
- Food (50%): peanuts and tree nuts, eggs, fish and shellfish, strawberries.
- Drugs: penicillin, NSAIDs, opioids, anaesthetic agents (especially muscle relaxants), contrast.
- Bee or wasp stings.
- Latex
Nonallergic anaphylaxis
- Non-IgE mediated mast cell activation.
- Aka nonimmunologic anaphylaxis. Formerly known as anaphylactoid reaction.
- Similar presentation and management to allergic anaphylaxis.
- Causes: contrast, vancomycin, opioids, anaesthetic agents.
Epidemiology
- 1/1000 lifetime risk.
- 1/10,000 annual incidence.
- 20 UK deaths annually.
Signs and symptoms
- Circulation: ↓BP and ↑HR, loss of consciousness.
- Airway: SOB, cyanosis, stridor due to laryngeal oedema, wheezing due to bronchospasm.
Other allergic features are common:- Angio-oedema: eyes, lips, hands, feet.
- Skin: itch, sweating, erythema, urticaria.
- GI: diarrhoea, vomiting, abdo pain.
Time course:- Onset usually seconds or minutes post-exposure, though can be hours, and lasts minutes to hours.
- 5-20% have a biphasic reaction, with recurrence of symptoms in the following 12 hours (though can be up to 72 hours).
Diagnosis
- Skin/mucosa symptoms + cardiac/respiratory compromise.
- Exposure to likely allergen for patient + ≥2 organ systems affected (skin/mucosa, GI, cardiac, respiratory).
- Exposure to known allergen for patient + ↓BP.
Serum tryptase:- Marker of mast-cell granulation that peaks after 1 hr and remains elevated for 6 hrs. Measure ASAP and at 1-2 hrs.
- 95% sensitive and specific.
- Does not aid acute diagnosis but useful in follow up clinic to help support/refute diagnosis.
Management
Initial
- 1:1000 means 1 g per 1000 ml i.e. 1 mg per 1 ml.
- Repeat every 5 minutes until hemodynamic improvement. Switch to IV infusion if refractory.
- Children: 150 micrograms (0.15 ml) <6 years, 300 micrograms (0.3 ml) 6-12 years.
- Mechanisms: reduces capillary leak and vasodilation (α1-receptors), is a +ve inotrope and chronotrope (β1-receptors), relaxes airway smooth muscle (β2-receptors), and by reducing mast cell degranulation it acts on the whole process, including urticaria, itch, and angio-oedema.
4. Get IV access and give fluids: 1 L crystalloid.- Chlorphenamine 10 mg IV to reduce itch and hives.
- Hydrocortisone 200 mg IV may reduce prolonged or biphasic reactions.
- Neither actually treat the anaphylaxis and the evidence for them isn't great.
6. If there is continued wheeze, treat as you would asthma:- Salbutamol, ipratropium, or magnesium sulphate.
Resolution
- Warn about possible biphasic reaction.
- Advise to avoid any potential triggers
- Give 2 pre-loaded 300 microgram adrenaline autoinjectors as interim until clinic.
Refer to allergy clinic to identify allergen and provide long-term care.
Baby check at birth and 6 weeks Check notes and get equipment ready: Measuring tape. Ophthalmoscope Sats probe. In notes, look at full details of pregnancy and birth, including Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. Observation: Colour: pink/red, pale, jaundiced. Any rash? Erythema toxicum is a self-limiting rash of red papules and vesicles, surrounded by red blotches which sometimes give a halo appearance. Usually occurs between 2 days and 2 weeks. Behaviour and mood. Movements. Face: dysmorphism? Head: Feel fontanelle (bulging? sunken?) and sutures. Note that posterior fontanelle closes at 1-2 months, and anterior at 7-19 months. Measure circumference at widest point; take the highest of 3 measurements. Looking for hydrocephalus and microcephaly. Eyes: check red reflex with ophthalmoscope. Feel inside top of mouth with little finger for cleft palate. Also gives you the sucking reflex. Inspect ears to see if they are low-set (below eye level), have any tags or lumps, and check behind the
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